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Exploring family relationships through associations of comfort, relatedness states, and life closure in hospice patients: A pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2014

Dana M. Hansen ,
Patricia A. Higgins ,
Camille Beckette Warner  and
M. Murray Mayo
Dana M. Hansen*
Affiliation:
Kent State University College of Nursing, Kent, Ohio
Patricia A. Higgins
Affiliation:
Case Western Reserve University and Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Camille Beckette Warner
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Cleveland, Ohio
M. Murray Mayo
Affiliation:
Ursuline College, Breen School of Nursing, Cleveland, Ohio
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Dana M. Hansen, Kent State University College of Nursing, 113 Henderson Hall, Room 372, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, Ohio 44242. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

Research at the end of life tends to focus on the dying patient's symptoms, often overlooking issues associated with family interactions. However, many families struggle just to maintain or initiate these valuable connections. The purpose of our pilot study was to explore family relationships at the end of life and investigate associations among perceived comfort, relatedness states, and life closure.

Method:

This descriptive study used a cross-sectional design, and a convenience sample (n = 30; 18 women; mean age = 71 years) was recruited from patients admitted to a large not-for-profit hospice in northeastern Ohio. In-person interviews using the Hospice Comfort Questionnaire, Relatedness States Visual Analog Scales, and the Life-Closure Scale provided data for analyses.

Results:

Family interactions that were not associated with the physical tasks of caregiving were related to life closure (r = 0.36, p = 0.001), and life closure and comfort were highly correlated (r = 0.69, p < 0.001). Participants residing in an inpatient setting had higher levels of involvement (t[18] = –2.07, p = 0.05) and comfort in relationships (t[28] = –2.06, p = 0.05) than those in the home setting.

Significance of Results:

This is the first known study investigating the associations among comfort, relatedness, and life closure at the end of life. The majority of participants had high levels of involvement and comfort in their relationships, and they preferred interactions that required minimal effort. Studies that focus on both patients' and family members' perceptions of relationships are needed as well as outcome studies that test simple interventions.

Keywords

ComfortLife closureRelatedness statesFamily relationships at the end of life
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 2015 , pp. 305 - 311
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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